How do you move to NYC for four months? Having made the decision in 2012 there was not much to do until we got closer to our departure date. This past January, I started looking through guide books, discussed previous visits with Robin, and did some web searches about areas. We're more into experiencing neighborhoods, history, and "out-the-door" lifestyle than being close to museums and theaters since public transit is so good. So we narrowed our search to the southern, oldest, end of Manhattan - from 14th Ave south. This includes some classic areas with great restaurants, galleries, and walking streets: Chelsea, Union Square, Washington Square, Greenwich, West Village, SOHO, TriBeCa, East Side, Lower East Side, Little Italy, NoLiIta, China Town.
We started with AirBnB, which has a nice section explaining neighborhoods. Through that we eliminated Union Square and Washington Square as either too far north or too student oriented. Also eliminated China town, Little Italy, NoLiIta as too ethnic specific. Then checked out VBRO, some corporate housing firms, and finally New York Habitat, who cater to mostly european long stay visitors. I looked at over 100 units and narrowed it down to 15 to whom I sent a request for more information. Many were beautiful, but WAY out of our price range (15k - 30k/month - no joke), or so small that even for four months we couldn't do it at this age. (literally 10' wide and maybe 5' of kitchen counter - total) with one window.
With Teigan now living in NYC we asked her to visit four places we narrowed it down to. One in a mid-rise in Chelsea with a lot of light but near Penn station; one on the Lower East Side but kinda gritty 'hood; one very small unit at a busy intersection in West Village - noisy; and a funky loft in SOHO. After a conference call with Teigan we decided on the loft brokered by NY Habitat. Funky furniture, kinda worn, but a two bedroom with large kitchen and fabulous 14' ceilings and full glass wall. Being from the PNW, light is critical. And... Cast Iron Historic District - great for a couple of obsessive architects.
Our early morning taxi with extra baggage and check in went smoothly, as did our arrival and transit from Newark to SOHO.
The owner is a sweet asian woman/artist who lives in the building with her film maker husband and their kids. They are asset rich having moved here decades before SOHO became popular, but cash poor both being artists.
Next blog: Settling In
We started with AirBnB, which has a nice section explaining neighborhoods. Through that we eliminated Union Square and Washington Square as either too far north or too student oriented. Also eliminated China town, Little Italy, NoLiIta as too ethnic specific. Then checked out VBRO, some corporate housing firms, and finally New York Habitat, who cater to mostly european long stay visitors. I looked at over 100 units and narrowed it down to 15 to whom I sent a request for more information. Many were beautiful, but WAY out of our price range (15k - 30k/month - no joke), or so small that even for four months we couldn't do it at this age. (literally 10' wide and maybe 5' of kitchen counter - total) with one window.
With Teigan now living in NYC we asked her to visit four places we narrowed it down to. One in a mid-rise in Chelsea with a lot of light but near Penn station; one on the Lower East Side but kinda gritty 'hood; one very small unit at a busy intersection in West Village - noisy; and a funky loft in SOHO. After a conference call with Teigan we decided on the loft brokered by NY Habitat. Funky furniture, kinda worn, but a two bedroom with large kitchen and fabulous 14' ceilings and full glass wall. Being from the PNW, light is critical. And... Cast Iron Historic District - great for a couple of obsessive architects.
Our early morning taxi with extra baggage and check in went smoothly, as did our arrival and transit from Newark to SOHO.
The owner is a sweet asian woman/artist who lives in the building with her film maker husband and their kids. They are asset rich having moved here decades before SOHO became popular, but cash poor both being artists.
Next blog: Settling In
Research. Check. Planning. Check. Neighborhood vetting. Check. Apt.narrowing down. Check. Teigan approval. Check. Well-packed, neatly arrayed luggage. Check. Flight to Newark. Check. Move in. Check. Both Robyn and Bill fly BACK to Seattle within 2 weeks. Check. NYC called "home." Check.
ReplyDeleteNice hood and digs. Process worked like a well-oiled machine. What's the next 3-year plan?
Next: Enjoy! Check.